Yates surprises the pack

Sir Bradley Wiggins survived the most serious challenge to his hopes of victory at the Tour of Britain as Simon Yates triumphed in the race's first summit finish in Devon.

Simon Yates was a happy man.

Credit: PA

Yates, the 21-year-old from Bury representing Great Britain, won the 137-kilometre sixth stage from Sidmouth to the top of Haytor on Dartmoor and now sits one minute six seconds behind in third in the general classification, with Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) 32 seconds behind Wiggins in the gold jersey.

Wiggins now heads for Saturday's stage in Surrey and Sunday's London finale on course to take his first stage race victory since the 2012 Tour de France.

As Wiggins recovers former glories, showing strong form ahead of the Road World Championships time-trial next Wednesday, the race also showed Britain has a bright future in Yates, who in February won the points race world title on the track.

The British Cycling academy rider won two stages of the prestigious Tour de l'Avenir recently and has been linked with a first professional contract at Team Sky.

He once again showed his potential by bursting clear of an elite group, which included Wiggins, 2013 Tour de France runner-up Nairo Quintana and Tour stage winner Dan Martin, in the latter stages to win by two seconds from Elmiger.

"It's one of my best victories," Yates said on www.cyclingnews.com.

"To win a stage of your nation tour in that company, you can't get much better. "I know I have a good kick but I didn't really believe until we got closer to the line."